eChipmunks

Are pest control contracts or monthly service plans really necessary?

Almost all pest control companies requires contract nowadays or have a "service plan," are they really necessary? I mean do they spray just enough to last so many months? This is for a typical very clean house. Ants find there way through window cracks to eat my croissant. Plus is there a difference of effectiveness between the powder and liquid spray the professionals use? What is the reasoning for putting bait in the house?

Public Comments

1. No they are not "really necessary." Use white 5% vinegar sprayed around on carpets, counter tops, for most cleaning and you'll have few if any "pests." It doesn't do much on large spiders but it will deter them when thresholds are sprayed routinely.
2. No, it's not necessary. There are more cost effective ways of dealing with pests on your own with minimal investment. It's their way of having job security. I had an exterminator one time for ants; they were back in three months and I was not about to pay him another $100. I did some research (tough because it was before the Internet) and found a liquid that you could mix with water and spray yourself and I got a whole year's worth of treatments for about $7.00. Some pests you just can't kill all of them in the area without massive doses of poison and you don't want to use more product/chemicals than absolutely necessary to control the issue. You have to balance the pesticide exposure risk with the pest problem. And I don't like the having a stranger all over my home spraying stuff where my pets and kids are. Why don't you let us know what pests you're dealing with and we can offer suggestions that have worked for us here on YA? It's always Terro for ants; nothing works better or easier.